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Lyndon Baines Johnson Science Academy
Austin, TX
Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science, and Technology 4th place
National Winner. ($33,000 scholarship)
Q. Can you provide us a brief paragraph on your project for the competition?
A. I developed an efficient comparative genomics algorithm to computationally identify intergenic regions that may regulate the expression of nearby genes in prokaryotes. These regulatory intergenic regions can be targeted by drugs that disrupt essential processes in pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and limit their growth, while having minimal human side-effects. Manipulating the same intergenic regions can also increase the yields of beneficial, life-saving bacterial products like insulin. Only three examples of this novel regulatory mechanism have been experimentally determined, and the results obtained using the developed suite of computer programs may greatly expand the known set of this potentially primitive and common gene regulation mechanism. As the only high school intern in the lab, I strive to maintain the highest level of accuracy, efficiency, and clarity so that my research imparts an appreciable contribution to those who will build upon it.
Q. What got you interested in your project topic?
A. I became interested in Biology by witnessing the great biodiversity of the places in which I lived, namely Europe and North America, and I was intrigued by what made living organisms different. In Genetics class at Kealing JHS I first understood heredity and the underlining biochemical processes, which were further strengthened in Biological electives at the LBJ Science Academy. One night I saw a documentary relating the devastating effects that E. coli tainted hamburgers had on children, which prompted me to understand how the bacteria could overcome someone so easily despite our modern medicines, and to seek ways to prevent such tragic situations. I was introduced to Genetics research at Ambion Inc. during my 2001 summer internship, when I participated in the development and testing of RNA products. Finally, I embarked on my current Bioinformatics internship where I use my Computer Science skills to search through whole genomes and help solve Biological dilemmas.
Q. What do you do (i.e. hobbies) when you're not creating algorithms that identify intergenic regions that regulate gene expression?
A. I share my expertise as a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) to help maintain the computer resources at LBJ HS, where I am a lab manager in the Student Technology Administrative Council (STAC). I have kept tropical fish since I was 10, and I am an amateur botanist. I harness my love of nature by organizing the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering community garden, whose produce are donated to Austin-area foodbanks.
In my free time I compose songs and practice the violin, which I've played for 7 years in school and extracurricular orchestras. Throughout middle and high school I've played for many school ceremonies such as the Senior banquet and NHS induction. I've played soccer in the North Austin Soccer Association for 9 years, and I'm currently in Mr. Rick Jacobsen's soccer team. I'm a member of the LBJ programming team, and won 3rd place team at state UIL Computer Science last year. I'm also a member of the Science Olympiad team.
I am also a National Honor Society (NHS) Advisory Board member, and outside of school I am a founding member of and a committee leader in HALO Interact, a city-wide Rotary Club sponsored community service organization for high school students: I am responsible for providing entertainment in the Blow the Whistle on Asthma Walk 2003 fundraisers' party. I have also had the opportunity to help landscape several Habitat for Humanity homes.
Q. What are your plans for college and beyond?
A. I plan to major in Genetics, Biochemistry, Bioinformatics or another related field. These fields are particularly interesting because knowledge is growing exponentially, and I am thrilled to be part of this boom through my ongoing internship. In fact, I hope to follow up on my current research by finding novel ways of preventing bacterial diseases and harnessing bacteria to synthesize desired products.
Q. If you could discover the answer to one science related problem or issue, what would it be?
A. I plan to follow a research or a practicing medical career, in hopes of expanding the current understanding of the fundamental processes of life and of finding cures for many of the infectious diseases plaguing the world today.
Q. What is your all time favorite website?
A. My all time favorite website is www.google.com because it is a comprehensive, well maintained, ad free, and to-the-point search engine.
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